stuck

I met a gummy bird, a small sticky thing
in the wasteland of my bigger, stickier dream.

Something licked my toes; I looked only to see
a furry prawn ingratiating itself with me.

I crouched to pet it, the gentle, whiskered shrimp
with its length unfurled; crustless, body uncrimped.

Next I looked, instead of one bird, there were two
and when I felt the dribble harden, I knew

to be alone was anathema to them
and glue-licked me was the prawn’s wish for a friend.

I guess I didn’t mind. I’ve been stuck for years
this collage is home, this painting my curse.

In time eternal, the beginning became
through countless dreams, a dream itself, a refrain:

I met a gummy bird, a small sticky thing
in the wasteland of my bigger, stickier dream.